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Survey Details for CYNONHL649 - 2026-06-04

CYNONHL649

Historic Landscape

Nant Castellau and Nant Machudd

Bridgend-Caerphilly-Rhondda

2017-03-15

  • Level 1: Rural environment
  • Level 2: Agricultural
  • Level 3: Irregular Fieldscapes

Monitoring

Q1 - Date of monitoring?

  • 2017-03-15

Q1a - Monitoring undertaken by

  • Historic Landscape change detection work completed by the relevant Welsh Archaeological Trust for this area, the planning authority have been included. Quality Assurance of change detection work was completed by Trysor. SmartData analysis and update using Designated Historic Asset GIS Data for questions 17, 18, 19, 20 (2025-2026)

Q1b - Has this record been updated following monitoring work?

  • This record remains unchanged following monitoring work

Q1c - Change indicated by

  • OS Data, Aerial Photographs
  • Fieldwork

Q1d - What has changed?

  • Boundaries

Q1e - Has the information ever been verified in the field?

  • Yes
    • Level 3; 1:10,000 and 1:25,000

Q2 - Does this area have a special or functional link with an adjacent area?

  • Yes
    • The unenclosed upland of CYNONHL648 to the north and the urban growth of CYNONHL977, CYNONHL785 and CYNONHL284, encompasses the entire region.

Description

Q3 - If Classification is "Other", specify here

  • Empty value

Q4 - Summary Description / Key Patterns and Elements

  • This aspect area is characterised as surviving agricultural landscape characterised by varied and evolved enclosure, dominated by hedged boundaries, and dispersed non-nucleated agricultural settlement and a well-established network narrow rural lanes. The area is centred on what appear to be long established focal points, ie Castellau, ie Castellau House (a Grade II*listed building), Treferig, Tir-mab-Ellis, Berthlwyd and Pantyddraenen, among others. An important landscape element is provided by the area''s numerous post-medieval farmsteads, and farmbuildings, several of which are listed. These include Castellau Ganol, built parallel with the slope (Listed Grade II), Pant y Ddraenan located in a low-lying position (Listed Grade II), the Pig Sty at Berthlwyd Farm, an upland farm S of Treforest, (Listed Grade II) and Treferig Isha (Listed Grade II). Several of these settlements probably have medieval, if not earlier precursors. At Bwlch Gwyn is a rare example of remaining 16th century oak roof structures to be found in Mid-Glamorgan. The building heritage of the area is typical of the upland parishes of South Wales, presenting a varied heritage of regional house types; these include long houses (Castellau-Uchaf); post-medieval houses with chimney-backing-on-the-entry, outside cross-passage, and fireplace stairs.(eg Gelliwion and Lan Draw); regional houses with internal chimney lobby entry and fireplace stairs. (eg Dyffryn); regional houses with internal chimney and lobby entry (eg Berth-Lwyd and Rhud-yLlech); storeyed sub-medieval house sof the possible end-chimney type. (eg Tylcha-Fach, also of cruck construction); post-medieval houses with fireplace staires (eg Garthgraben, Bedw, and Castellau-Ganol). Evidence directly relating to medieval agricultural practice and settlement is found in the area; this is provided by the long hut south of Cymmer, (ST02598973), and at Hafod, Rhiwgarn (ST02598973), while the faerdref element in the name of Faerdref uchaf farm indicates a medieval settlement associated with the Welsh court. The location of the nearby medieval church bearing a dedication to the cult of St Illtud is of significance, and probably dates to the early medieval period. The location of the extant agricultural settlement of the area appears to laregely reflect the general location of earlier settlement, such as Lle''r Gaer Hillfort (SAM GM219), a Prehistoric domestic and defensive structure and Pen-y-Coedcae Roman Camp (SAM GM267) the remains of a Roman Marching camp. The earliest landscape feature in the area are Bronze Age burial features, such as that at Nant Muchudd (ST0393286702) a near intact round barrow. Another ritual feature is the Tarren Deusant Sculptured Rock & Spring (SAM GM406) of uncertain origin. Non-conformist Chapels are a typical characteristic of the area and include the Castellau Congregational Chapel (Listed Grade II) with its associated gates, piers, boundary walls and bridge, forming the entrance to the semi-circular graveyard and chapel ( also Listed Grade II), Ty Cwrdd (Trefyrhyg, friends meeting house), Castellau Welsh Independent Chapel, and Bryntirion, Brynhill. Industrial activity in the area has had a limited but notable effect with extractive remains visible at Penrhiw Colliery (ST06408893) and a number of minor quarries, usually created for agricultural or local building needs. Limekilns are also in evidence examples being at Beddau, and near Llantrisant Common. Other industrial sites include the mill at Melin Tre-Feirig, while an early forge site is also recorded, described in c16th papers as Penbough, relates to Penbwch, where remains of ancient iron works existed.

Q5 - If working at level 3, the classification describes the dominant historic pattern, but which other patterns are important to the historical pattern of this area? (Tick all that apply)

  • Regular Fieldscapes
  • Woodland
  • Water & Wetland
  • Other Settlement
  • Extractive
  • Recreational

Q6 - If working at level 4 ,which other 'details' are also significant to the historic character of this area? (Please tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q7 - If working at level 4 only, which building types prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q8 - If working at level 4 only, which periods prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q9 - If working at level 4 only, which architectural types prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q10 - If working at level 4 only, which traditional walling materials prevail in the area? (tick all that apply)

  • No Answer

Q11 - If working at level 4 only, which traditional roofing materials prevail in the area? (select up to three)

  • No Answer

Q12 - Which traditional boundary types prevail in the area?

  • Hedgerow
  • Hedgerow With Trees
  • Dry Stone Walls
  • Earth/Turf Bank
  • Post & Wire Fence
  • Cut Drainage

Q13 - What is the nature of any archaeological interest in the area?

  • Buried-dry
  • Relict-Earthworks
  • Relict-Stone Monuments
  • Buildings & Structures
  • Documentary
  • Industrial Archaeology

Q14 - Which chronological period is visually dominant in the area?

  • Prehistoric
  • Roman
  • Medieval (to 1536)
  • Post Medieval (1536+)
  • Industrial
  • Recent

Q15 - Is this a Historic Landscape Character Area (HLCA)? If yes, provide detail

  • No

Q16 - HLCA description url

  • No Answer

Q17 - Are there Scheduled Monuments here?

  • Yes

Q18 - Are there Listed Buildings here?

  • Yes
    • Number of Listed Buildings in this area: 7

Q19 - Are there Registered Historic Parks and Gardens here?

  • No
    • Checked January 2025, no change.

Q20 - Are there Conservation Areas here?

  • No
    • Checked and change updated January 2025.

Q20a - Are there Historic Battlefields here?

  • No Answer

Q21 - Are there World Heritage Sites here?

  • No

Q22 - Is this within a Registered Historic Landscape (RHL)?

  • No

Q22a - Registered Historic Landscape description

  • No Answer

Condition

Q23 - Unused

  • No Answer

Q24 - Condition:

  • Unassessed

Q25 - Trend:

  • Constant

Recommendations

Q26 - Existing management

  • Unassessed

Q27 - Management recommendations

  • Empty value

Q28 - Sector Adaptation Plan

  • Historic Environment and Climate Change in Wales Sector Adaptation Plan. https://cadw.gov.wales/sites/default/files/2020-02/Adaptation%20Plan%20-%20FINAL%20WEB%20-%20English%20%281%29.pdf Assessment of likely impacts of climate change on historic assets and significance p8-11. Buildings and Settlements p23 Marginal and upland p26 Marine and coastal p28 Rivers, canals and freshwater p30 Farmland p33 Woodland p36 Industrial landscapes p38 Designed landscapes, parks and gardens p40 Historic landscapes p42

Q29 - Unused

  • No Answer

Aspect Area Boundary

Q30 - To what level was this information site-surveyed?

  • Level 3

Q31 - At 1:10,000, how much of the Aspect Area boundary is precise?

  • All

Q32 - What baseline information source was used for Aspect Area boundary mapping?

  • OS Landline

Q33 - If OS Data was used, what was the scale?

  • 1:10,000 and 1:25,000

Q34 - What is the justification for the Aspect Area boundaries?

  • With the exception of the unenclosed upland aspect CYNONHL648, the urban growth of CYNONHL977, CYNONHL785 and CYNONHL284, encompasses the entire region creating an island of fieldscapes.

Evaluation

Q35 - Evaluation Criteria: Integrity

  • Outstanding
    • The irregular agricultural fieldscape and associated settlement pattern of dispersed farmsteads of medieval/post-medieval date is very well- established and largely unaltered from that shown on the OS 1st edition map. 19th-20th century industrial extractive activity also forms a significant component within this landscape.

Q36 - Evaluation Criteria: Survival

  • High
    • The overall landscape pattern, characterised by an irregular pattern of field enclosure defined by a strong network of hedgerows and narrow lanes, with settlement foci represented by substantial farmsteads of medieval/early post-medieval origin at Castellau-Ganol (GGAT PRN 01523m), Treferig (NPRN 20996), Tir-mab-Ellis (GGAT PRN 01608m), Bwlch Gwyn (GGAT PRN 01609m) and Pantyddraenen (NPRN 19577), has survived relatively unchanged from that depicted on the OS 1st edition map... The archaeological record for this area is especially diverse, with evidence of Bronze Age ritual funerary activity evidenced by well-preserved cairn at Nant Muchudd (GGAT PRN 00591m) and the sculptured stone of Tarren deusant (GGAT PRN 00593m); Iron Age settlement is attested by a defended enclosure at Lle'r Gaer (GGAT PRN 00592m) while Roman military activity is represented by a substantial marching camp at Pen-y-coed-cae, the third largest in Wales (GGAT PRN 00597m)... Industrial activity in the area has had a limited but notable effect with extractive remains visible at Penrhiw Colliery (NPRN 33522) and a number of minor quarries, usually created for agricultural or local building needs...

Q37 - Evaluation Criteria: Condition

  • High

Q38 - Evaluation Criteria: Rarity

  • Moderate
    • Shares common characteristics with neighbouring aspect area Cynon HL888 (Mynydd Hugh a Maendy) to the W. The rarity of this area is increased by the fact that it represents one of the few surviving areas of extensive irregular enclosure on the southern periphery of the Caerphilly/RCT historic landscape, much of the surrounding fieldscape having been occupied by modern development (Cynon HL284; Cynon HL785).

Q39 - Evaluation Criteria: Potential

  • Outstanding
    • This diverse, multi-period landscape offers significant potential for further investigation; the well preserved Bronze Age cairn at Nant Muchudd has been surveyed by the RCAHMW (RCAHMW, 1976, 98) but has not yet been excavated; similarly the earthworks of the Roman marching camp at Penycoedcae have been previously surveyed (RCAHMW, 1976, 99); however further detailed investigation (e.g. geophysical survey) would certainly be desirable in order to determine the date of its establishment and the location and plan of any internal buildings within the camp itself. The numerous, well-preserved early post medieval farmsteads have also been surveyed by the RCAHMW, however a comprehensive assessment of this rich architectural heritage would be merited.

Q40 - Evaluation Criteria: Overall Evaluation

  • High
    • The high value assigned to this aspect area is based on two criteria: 1/the extremely well-preserved nature of the irregular fieldscape in this area 2/ The diverse, multi-period nature of the archaeological resource containing evidence of Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman, medieval and post-medieval occupation.

Q41 - Justification of overall evaluation

  • The high value assigned to this aspect area is based on two criteria: 1/the extremely well-preserved nature of the irregular fieldscape in this area 2/ The diverse, multi-period nature of the archaeological resource containing evidence of Bronze Age, Iron Age, Roman, medieval and post-medieval occupation.

Information Sources

Q42 - Sources and additional assessments

  • Ordnance Survey, 1884/5, First Edition 6' Map. Ordnance Survey, 1900/1, Second Edition 6' Map. Ordnance Survey, 1921, Third Edition 6' Map. Ordnance Survey, 1998, Cardiff and Bridgend. 1:25000, Explorer 151. Southampton. Ordnance Survey, 1998, Rhondda and Merthyr Tydfil. 1:25000, Explorer 166. Southampton. Questions 17, 18, 19, 21, 22 Designated Historic Asset GIS Data, The Welsh Historic Environment Service (Cadw), 14/02/25, licensed under the Open Government Licence http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/

Living Heritage

Q43 - Are there any art/artistic expressions associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q44 - Are there any folklore/ legends associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q45 - Are there any events/traditions associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q46 - Are any famous people associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q47 - Are there any technical / scientific discoveries associated with the landscape/area?

  • No Answer

Q48 - List of Historic Placenames

  • https://rcahmw.gov.uk/discover/list-of-historic-place-names/